The Legal 500 Hall of Fame highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession. In Europe, Middle East and Africa, the criteria for entry is to have been recognised by The Legal 500 as one of the elite leading lawyers for seven consecutive years. These partners are highlighted below and throughout the editorial.
Click here for more details

Germany > Real estate and construction > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Next generation lawyers

Find out which law firms are representing which Construction (including construction litigation) clients in Germany using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact david.burgess@legal500.com.

CMS draws on a wealth of expertise in advising clients in the building construction, infrastructure and plant construction sectors. Since the end of 2016, Nicolai Ritter has been advising AS+P Albert Speer & Partner on a landscape and oasis project in Saudi Arabia, which included advice on payment and default risks. As another highlight, he provided contractual law assistance to a company involved in expanding the design-outlet centre Wolfsburg. Cologne-based Martin Krause acted for new client Immofinanz Float in contractual matters pertaining to the development of the office complex FLOAT in DĂŒsseldorf. In other significant work, Andreas Roquette continues to advise Hochtief Infrastructure on various matters; recently these included technical supplements and the renegotiating of project contracts. Frankfurt-based Johanna Hofmann, Hamburg-based Christiane Kappes and Thorsten SchĂ€tzlein in DĂŒsseldorf were elevated to the partnership in early 2017.

Kapellmann und Partner focuses on major projects in the building construction sector, most notably the development of corporate headquarters, high-rise buildings and apartment blocks, as well as projects in the infrastructure, wind farm and health sectors. Together with Frankfurt-based Martin Havers, DĂŒsseldorf-based Klaus Eschenbruch advises an airport operator on the expansion of a commercial airport, while Werner Langen has been assisting Frankonia Eurobau with all matters pertaining to its housing project Heimathafen DĂŒsseldorf. Acting for the free state of Bavaria, Tobias Schneider is involved in A7 motorway project development work such as the renovation of the motorway bridge TalbrĂŒcke Rothof. In the plant engineering space, the team advises national and international industrial plant, power plant and process industry clients on various project-related matters with particular expertise in technical and construction management processes. This leads to regular instructions, with Ralf Steding in the lead, from long-term client Bayer. Claus von Rintelen represented GlobalTech I against an arbitration claim for hundreds of millions of euros brought by Hochtief. Internal changes include five partner promotions in early 2017.

Advising engineering firms and other contractors on rail projects is a primary focus of Leinemann & Partner but the construction law practice, which has offices in six German state capitals, also acts for public and private sector contracting authorities including research institutes, hospitals and insurance companies. Ralf Leinemann assisted the project company ViA6West with matters arising from the âŹ1.3bn A6 motorway expansion to 47.2 kilometres. In different work, he provided general advice to an investor and acted for the client in an arbitration pertaining to a construction contract for a silicon metal factory in Iceland. EnBW instructed the team to assist with a consultancy framework agreement, and ARGE ABS Forchheim SĂŒd and ARGE ABS NĂŒrnberg-Ebensfeld received construction advice on two sections of the âŹ200m NĂŒrnbergErfurt-Halle-Berlin route expansion. In plant engineering, Jarl-Hendrik Kues acts for Heitkamp Ingenieur und Kraftwerksbau and Ballast Nedam, which constitute the consortium for the construction of Siemens Fabrik Cuxhaven. DĂŒsseldorf-based Oliver Schoofs is another key member of the team.

Covering a broad field of plant engineering work, Redeker Sellner Dahsâ Burkhard Messerschmidt advises a large international research institution, a new client since December 2016, on the construction of a proton accelerator and 34 research institutions amounting to more than âŹ6bn. In the contentious space, he continues to represent RWE Power in several proceedings on the construction of a new power plant in Neurath, while, in 2016, Lars Klein acted for an international company in arbitration proceedings pertaining to a power plant and its energy supply to a paper mill. Philipp Hummel and Udo SĂ¶ns represented a public sector client in litigation on the construction of a new military hospital, while Dieter Merkens has been acting for the German Federal Republic and the waterway authority in matters arising from the construction of a ship lift in Niederfinow. In building construction work, Thomas Thierau advised Ed. ZĂŒblin on the âŹ230m construction of the university hospital Jena.

AGS Legal specialises in national development and infrastructure projects, international plant engineering and contentious work. In Hamburg, Sigrid Roskosny provides several offshore industry companies with general construction law advice and litigation assistance, while infrastructure specialist Dietmar Lampe continues to advise the Waterways and Shipping Directorate-General on the development of several railway bridges in northern Germany and also represents the client in contentious proceedings against contractors. In other work, he advised Imetas Property Services on urban development projects, while Peer Feldhahn assisted the university medical centre Hamburg-Eppendorf with the construction of an internal combined heat and power plant. Wendelin Acker and Thomas GĂŒnther are best known for their expertise in construction development projects and Burkard Lotz focuses on plant engineering.

In early 2018, Arnecke Sibet merged with Dabelstein & Passehl RechtsanwĂ€lte PartGmbB and now operates under the name Arnecke Sibeth. The team consists of 25 lawyers, who are well versed in guiding clients through the full spectrum of public and private construction law work. This includes developer, architect and engineering law as well as project management and assistance with public procurement and contentious matters. In plant engineering, the team is experienced in handling contractual issues and arbitration proceedings. Frankfurt-based Antje Boldt and Munich-based Thomas Richter are the key contacts.

In private construction law, Breyer RechtsanwĂ€lte provides regular advice on building construction, civil engineering and plant construction matters. Alongside a number of ongoing high-profile advisory instructions, such as Michael Burdinskiâs advice to ARGE Albabstieg on the Stuttgart 21 project, and Wolfgang Breyerâs assistance with the Stuttgart-based project Dorotheenquartier, the team also demonstrates contentious capabilities. Since late 2016, Daniel Junk has been representing the German Federal Republic in damage claim proceedings pertaining to a bridge renovation before the Regional Court of Karlsruhe. In other work, the team has been advising new client Studierendenwerks TĂŒbingen-Hochheim on the âŹ25m construction of a new student residence.

The team at Graf von Westphalen increased its bench strength by adding Maximilian Jahn from Kapellmann und Partner in October 2016, and focuses on project-related advisory work and related litigation. Recently, Hamburg-based Robert Theissen advised several Elevion subsidiaries on a number of projects, including a combined heat and power plant in Munich. In ongoing work, he also provides regular advice to Euromicron on various construction projects such as the Opernplatz and Eurotower projects in Frankfurt, the Olga hospital project in Stuttgart and the university hospital projects in Heidelberg and Bonn. The BIG Group is another long-term client. Team head Lorenz Czajka advised Deutsche Telekom on the expansion of its T-systems cloud computing centre in Biere, Sachsen-Anhalt.

With Michael T. Stollâs elevation to the partnership in the Munich office, Lutz | Abel Rechtsanwalts GmbH is well equipped to handle an increasing number of building construction and infrastructure mandates. Since autumn 2016, he has been advising several general contractors on matters pertaining to the Ulm-Wendlingen high-speed railway line and the Meile Moosach shopping centre, including onhotel projects. Also based in the Munich office, Wolfgang Abel, Mathias Mantler and Thomas SchĂ¶nfeld advised a bidding consortium on construction procurement matters arising from the procurement proceeding for the S-Bahn Munich expansion project Zweite Stammstrecke. Apart from providing advice on the tunnel project Alblandvortunnel and the motorway project Isentalautobahn A94, both ongoing since early 2016, another highlight is assisting a communal hospital association with several hospital construction projects. In the contentious space, Hubert Bauriedl and associate Katharina Bold defended Messe Augsburg ASMV against claims for additional fees brought by architects pertaining to the construction of an additional exhibition hall.

SMNG RechtsanwĂ€lte received a number of new contentious and non-contentious instructions on construction development, renovation and plant engineering matters: recently, the team advised a Hamburg-based project developer on the renovation of an office tower, and assisted a German pharmaceutical company with the construction of a new production and office building. In plant engineering, the team represented an international steel company in a dispute over the supply of components for a gas purification plant in a steel smelter. In other work, the practice assisted a contractor with matters arising from the expansion of the Munich airport satellite terminal. Since Rainer Schillingâs retirement at the end of 2016, the remaining founding partners Christian NiemĂ¶ller and Michael Griem are the key contacts alongside ten other private construction law partners.

With offices in Hamburg and Berlin, the eight-strong team at BRL Boege Rohde Luebbehuesen predominantly advises on major building construction developments and represents clients in litigation. Team head Michael-Alexander Rojnic assisted UnibailRodamco with the development of a construction area in the southern Ăberseequartier in the heart of HafenCity Hamburg, amounting to approximately âŹ970m. He also advised a client on the Star Inn Premium hotel development in Heidelberg, and, since summer 2016, he has been assisting Berufsbildungswerk Hamburg with a residence project. In Berlin, Marc Biebelheimer continues to act for MIB Immobilien und Beteiligungen in various construction and architect are law matters pertaining to the development of commercial properties.

With offices in Berlin and Frankfurt, Baker McKenzieâs team has a strong profile for infrastructure and plant engineering work. Susanne Mertens and counsel Stephan GĂ¶tze continue to act for Berlin Brandenburg Airport in damage claim proceedings and contentious contract supplement matters, while also advising several regional organisations on refugee accommodation issues. In Frankfurt, JĂŒrgen Schramke, JĂ¶rg Risse and Ragnar Harbst have been representing a technology company in a number of arbitration and litigation proceedings, including complex plant engineering and cross-border elements, amounting to several billion euros.

Focused on white-collar crime, Bornheim und Partnerâs seven-strong team is dedicated to construction law. Its scope spans from private and public construction law to plant engineering, architecture and engineering law and it also covers PPP projects. This wide-ranging expertise makes for a steady flow of advisory instructions pertaining to shopping centres, office buildings, stadiums, hospitals and technical facilities: recently, the team advised the relevant project developers on construction law matters in connection with the two shopping centres Forum Duisburg and Boulevard Berlin, and assisted an overhead line construction company with the development of the Erfurt - Halle/Leipzig ICE line.

In 2016, CBH RechtsanwĂ€lte Cornelius, Bartenbach, Haesemann & Partner received its first instruction from a German insurance association, which Markus Vogelheim continues to advise on contract law matters arising from the construction of its headquarters. In another new instruction, Nils Mrazek has been assisting a consortium consisting of Swiss planning offices with a general planner contract for the new campus of a pharmaceutical company. Together with Arnd Holzapfel, Manfred Haesemann, Stefan Hertwig and Eike Najork, Vogelheim and Mrazek also provide regular advice to KĂ¶lner Verkehrsbetriebe on matters pertaining to the underground construction project Nord-SĂŒd Stadtbahn.

Frankfurt-based Stefan LĂ¶chner and DĂŒsseldorf partner Michael J.R. Kremer are Clifford Chanceâs key contacts for construction law matters. While LĂ¶chner has been providing advice to Logistis Luxembourg, Kremer continues to act for Bayer and Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions. In conjunction with colleagues from the real estate team, the practice also assists a number of project developers with construction law issues, including Christian Keilichâs advice to Unibail-Radamcos on the development of certain areas within Hamburgâs HafenCity.

FPS puts significant emphasis on building construction work but also has experience in handling plant engineering mandates. Team head Stephan JĂŒngst advised a joint venture on private and public construction law alongside architecture law matters arising from the construction of a large retail property in Frankfurt. Other regular instructions include assisting various clients with model contracts. Berlin-based Christian Hubatsch was made salaried partner in March 2017 and advised an IT services provider on a plant engineering contract pertaining to the construction of a new logistics centre with a total value of over âŹ21m. Klaus Schneider retired in April 2017.

GSK Stockmannâs client roster includes a number of new clients in the residence and office property sectors. This includes Oda Wedemeyerâs instruction to advise the MassMutual Financial Group, Barings and Barings Real Estate Advisers on the Budapester StraĂe 35 project in Berlin, including its demolition and redevelopment. In other significant work, Jan Kehrberg assisted Hendrik van Caems with the development of a city district in Berlin-Lichtenfeld consisting of 900 residential units, one school and other facilities. Munich-based Stefan Schlapka and Berlin-based Philip Huperz were made local partners in early 2017.

Much of Heuking KĂŒhn LĂŒer Wojtekâs work pertains to project development, infrastructure projects and the construction of energy-related facilities. Since 2014, Juliane Reichelt has been advising Allianz Real Estate on the Cologne-based office building project Coeur Cologne and the residential and commercial development An der Alster in Hamburg. Since late 2016, Stephan Freund has been assisting Gascade Gastransport with construction law contracts pertaining to the construction of the EUGAL pipeline, and Armin Freiherr von GrieĂenbeck acts for long-term client Edeka GrundstĂŒcksgesellschaft Nordbayern-ThĂŒringen in construction matters concerning the new distribution centre Berbersdorf. In other work, he advised Niedersachsen Ports on the renewal of various port facilities. Munich-based Steffen Wilberg was made salaried partner in January 2017.

Having specialist expertise in infrastructure and energy projects, Hogan Lovells International LLPâs Christian KnĂŒtel continues to advise on the Merkur offshore wind farm project, having been instructed by the eponymous association, which, in 2016, included project contract assistance. Tobias Faber acted for an investor consortium from the energy-from-waste sector before the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects in matters pertaining to the construction and operation of a waste-to-energy power plant. Other key clients include Meridiam Infrastructure, Enel and Strabag.

Loschelderâs seven dedicated construction lawyers, including the frequently recommended Walter Klein, who demonstrates âa very high service levelâ, are best known for advising on retail and infrastructure projects and also handle contentious work. Recent work includes advising the Nord-SĂŒd Stadtbahn consortium on construction law matters based in Cologne and representing the client in litigation for the collapse of the city archive, as well as assisting KĂ¶ln Bonn Airport with various construction and conversion planning projects including arbitration and litigation matters. The Hahn Group receives nationwide advice on the construction of retail parks, while Hochtief instructed the team to advise on the 4Elements project in DĂŒsseldorf and MaxCologne in Cologne. Bilfinger frequently retains the team to act in construction litigation.

Praised for its âhigh service levelâ, Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH provides clients with âhigh-quality advice and outstanding resultsâ, leaving them âin good handsâ when instructing the recommended contract lawyer Ole-Jochen Melchior, who âimplements legal analysis into goal-oriented actionsâ, and construction management lawyer Claudia Schoppen, who is noted for her âsound construction and planning law expertiseâ, among others. Since autumn 2016, Henner-Matthias Puppel and BjĂ¶rn Arndt have been advising Peakside Capital on the renovation of the listed Fernsprecheamt SchlĂŒterstraĂe in Hamburg, and assisting Peakside Forum with the project development of a commercial and office property in Landsberger Allee in Berlin. In July 2016, Berlin-based Katja Schwenzfeier was elevated to the partnership.

Much of Noerrâs workload pertains to plant engineering and building renovation matters: Dirk Lentfer and Volker Bock continue to advise an international sports and music entertainment company on the construction of an entertainment district in Berlin. In new work, Bock is providing an international insurance company with a legal opinion for a failed power plant project. Stefan Weise handles various plant engineering and contractual matters for a number of building construction projects.

Berlin-based Stassen LLP RechtsanwĂ€lte und Notare has a strong profile for advising public contracting authorities, architecture and planning firms and private real estate companies. Highlights included advising a Berlin-based general planner on the renovation and revitalisation of six shopping centres including contractual matters, with Florian Diestelmann in the lead, and Anne SchĂ¶nbrunnâs extrajudicial representation of Gplant Architekten + Ingenieure in fee claims. Anke Maria Bogen, who was made partner in April 2017, acted for an architecture firm in negotiations with a construction company over general planning services for the construction of approximately 370 new flats.

With a focus on plant engineering, the team at Taylor Wessing received a boost when Carsten Schulz and Timo Stellpflug moved across from the firmâs TMT department; they frequently advise on the construction of technical facilities alongside network and infrastructure development issues, which includes several instructions by Nordex. Michael Baumhauer advises Becker Marine Systems on contractual matters concerning the development of mobile LNG power generators for ships. In the contentious arena, Janina Pochhammer represented Senvion against claims for compensation and damage payments brought by Mammoet, which arose from an offshore wind project in Australia, and Martin Launer defended the engineering company W. v. d. Heyde against claims stemming from the supply of a Spectro tester for the automotive industry. Schottel and long-term client Blohm + Voss are also part of the teamâs roster.

With particular expertise in the health, retail and hotel industries, Zirngibl advises a broad range of clients, including private companies, architecture and engineering firms as well as public sector players. Lars Adler advises a private hospital operator on a general transfer contract for the construction of a new hospital, and, in a separate matter, he acted for a hospital in Nordrhein-Westfalen on various construction law matters. Andreas Dingler assists an investment company specialising in residential real estate and micro-living with a renovation and new building project, and provides regular and long-term advice to a communal housing construction company. In the Munich office, Patrick Gasch was made partner, while Alexandra Feiner was elevated to pre-partner level. Gasch defends a public sector body against fee and damage claims brought by a general planner.

Gleiss Lutz is particularly active in project development and contentious work. Christoph Moench continues to advise CG GrĂ¶ner on the renovation of the Postbank tower in Berlin, while Bernhard Busch provides regular advice to Hornbach Immobilien on the development of DIY and garden centres. As a new highlight, the team has been assisting WerkBundStadt with its major housing development Am Spreebord in Berlin. With the passing away of Hans Schlarmann in January 2017, the firm lost a renowned construction law partner.

Ulrich Werner heads the team at Hecker, Werner, Himmelreich, which puts significant focus on real estate development work. Recently, the practice handled various construction, renovation and procurement matters for the University of Cologne. As well as public sector clients, the team also receives regular instructions from engineering and architecture firms alongside developers.

The team at Koeble Donus Fuhrmann Locher Schotten Zahn RechtsanwĂ€lte consists of seven dedicated construction lawyers, who handle a broad range of contentious and non-contentious private and public construction law work including architecture and engineering law as well as project development mandates. Key contact Wolfgang Koeble is noted for his litigation expertise.

The team at Munich-based firm Kraus, Sienz & Partner consists of six dedicated construction and architect lawyers, who handle a broad range of private construction law, architect and engineering law matters alongside project management work. Apart from its advisory capabilities, the team also includes a number of arbitrators and mediators, who act for clients in claim enforcement and defence proceedings. In October 2016, associate Julian Stahl moved to Lutz | Abel Rechtsanwalts GmbH.

Building construction mandates constitute a key portion of Lenz und Johlenâs workload along with instructions for the construction of production facilities. Team head Thomas Elsner advised Goodmills Deutschland on the development of a new site for a mill constituting of a number of mill, storage and administration buildings as well as a grain and flour silo. Philipp Libert continues to assist the corporation Moderne Stadt with the development of the harbour district Deutzer Hafen in Cologne, while Alexander Beutling advised the Bernd Reiter Group on the conception of the residential area Rheintal Quartier. In other work, he advised Neuss-DĂŒsseldorfer HĂ€fen on the development of a mixed residential area and various business locations in the industrial harbour.

GĂ¶tz Mezger, Andreas Helm and Benjamin Gartz are the key contacts for construction law matters at Wagensonner. The team is particularly active in handling project development and renovation matters as part of its building construction work but it also deals with technical facilities. Recently, Helm advised a business group from the automotive sector on general planning and general contractor contracts for several projects in major German cities, and acted for Mezger Daldrup und SĂ¶hne in contract negotiations. Berlin-based Ulrich Reblin has been representing a public sector client in judicial and extrajudicial disputes.

Find out which law firms are representing which Real estate clients in Germany using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact david.burgess@legal500.com.

CMS has âa good reputation for good reasonâ and provides âexcellent services including targeted advice and pragmatic and economically viable solutionsâ, while clients also appreciate the âquick response times as well as the teamâs ability to call upon additional colleagues on short notice when requiredâ. Hamburg-based Sebastian Orthmann, who is singled out for his âin-depth knowledgeâ and âthorough workâ, advised Berenberg and Universal-Investment on the acquisition of the mixed-use property Wilhelmgalerie in Potsdam from a Deutsche Asset Management fund, and Union Investment on the acquisition of an international shopping centre portfolio form Credit Suisse. The team in Berlin is co-led by Andreas Otto and Matthias KuĂ and praised for its âgood and professional advice in complex and demanding dealsâ; it assisted AOK with the sale-leaseback of 42 real estate properties in north-eastern Germany. Other key individuals include Stuttgart-based Volker Zerr and Frankfurt-based Heinrich Schirmer, who both âprovide professional and reliable assistanceâ; the latter assisted Allianz Real Estate Germany with the acquisition of an office building development in Munich, and, together with Johanna Hofmann, who was elevated to the partnership in early 2017, he advised DIC Asset on the sale of an office real estate portfolio with a total value of âŹ143m. Hamburg-based Christiane Kappes and DĂŒsseldorf-based Thorsten SchĂ€tzlein were also made partner.

Clifford Chance provides âa very high service level when advising on real estate transactions and structuringsâ. The âexperienced, creative and strategically very goodâ Christian Keilich, who is also noted for his âexcellent negotiating skillsâ, advised KanAm Grundkapitalverwaltungsgesellschaft on the sale of a pan-European real estate portfolio to Amundi. As another highlight, team head Cornelia Thaler assisted the fund CEREP III managed by Carlyle with the indirect sale of CityGate in Stuttgart. Up until November 2016, Gerold Jaeger has been advising Eurosic on the acquisition of a large portion of the newly emerging Center Parc holiday park in Leutkirch, in AllgĂ€u, Germany. In other work, he acted for CBRE Global Investors in the acquisition and financing of a logistics portfolio for over âŹ128m, while Fabian BĂ¶hm advised Patrizia Immobilien on the acquisition of the nine-part residential and commercial portfolio Cloud 9 from Allianz Insurance.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer handles international transactions âquickly and in a structured, pragmatic and goal-oriented wayâ. The team in Hamburg, led by Johannes Conradi, âconsists of excellent real estate lawyers, who follow a deal-oriented approach and provide powerful arguments in negotiationsâ. In particular, clients single out associates Julia Haas, Stefan Frick and Georg Guntrum, who advised Garbe Industrial Real Estate on the sale of the German-Dutch GIANT portfolio consisting of 34 logistics properties. As other highlights, Niko Schultz-SĂŒchting assisted AXA Investment Managers with the purchase of a portfolio of 40 logistics properties in five different countries from Gramercy, and Timo Elsner advised on the takeover of IVGâs core portfolio following the sale of its subsidiary OfficeFirst Immobilien, which previously managed the portfolio. In the hotel property space, Thorsten Kleine acted for Brookfield and Starwood in the sale of the former Interhotel Group, consisting of ten hotels, to FDM Management for âŹ800m.

Greenberg Traurig Germany provides âa competent team for each and every dealâ; it consists of âreliable and available lawyersâ, who are praised as having âwide-ranging expertise and the ability to identify with the clientâs interestsâ. Team head Christian Schede, who demonstrates a âwealth of expertise and great knowledge of all asset classesâ, and the âassertive and politically sensitiveâ Florian RĂ¶sch assisted TH Real Estate with the acquisition of the development project Cube Berlin. Together with Peter Schorling, both lawyers also acted for Berlinovo Immobilien Gesellschaft in the sale of the care home portfolio Pegasus for âŹ420m. Schorling as well as Josef Hofschroer, who was instructed by Tristan Capital Partners to assist with the sale of a Karstadt building in Munich for âŹ250m, also receive praise from clients for their âefficient negotiation skillsâ, while Claudia Hard is noted as being a âreliable and solution-oriented expert for real estate financing mattersâ. One month after counsel Annette Geldsetzer moved to Notus Energy in January 2017, Martin Dressel joined the Berlin office as counsel from Linklaters. Also in early 2017, Nicolai Lagoni was elevated to the partnership. Associate Daniel Benighaus is âknowledgeableâ.

Hengeler Muellerâs clients appreciate the firmâs âexcellent work attitude and top expertiseâ; it provides a âvery good serviceâ. Daniel Kress, who divides his time between Frankfurt and London and is recommended for his âexpertise in handling share deal transactionsâ, assisted Frasers Hospitality Asset Management with the acquisition of the Maritim hotel in Dresden, which constituted the companyâs entry into the German market. In other significant work, Thomas MĂŒller advised several real estate funds managed by Blackstone on the acquisition of OfficeFirst Immobilien from IVG Immobilien, and, in a separate matter, he assisted Blackstone with the purchase and the financing of a German-Dutch commercial property portfolio from Hansteen Holdings. Frank Burmeister acted for FDM Management in the acquisition of the nine-piece Interhotel portfolio in eastern Germany from Starwood Capital and Brookfield for over âŹ800m.

Logistics property and data centres-related work constitutes an increasingly important portion of Taylor Wessingâs workload. âProviding effective and constructive adviceâ, team head Anja Fenge is also noted for her âpleasant but persistent negotiation strategiesâ, while clients also benefit from her âreliable overview of the commercial deal requirementsâ. Together with âexperiencedâ corporate lawyer Bernhard Kloft, she assisted the Growth Industrial Asset Net-Income Trust (GIANT) with the acquisition and financing of 34 logistics and industrial properties, for âŹ450m, located in Germany and the Netherlands. Equally noteworthy, Patrick Brock advised Commerz Real on the purchase of the Highlight Tower in Munich. Martin Bartlik is well versed in handling hotel sector work, while Sabine Kaben is experienced in dealing with data centre transactions. Berlin-based Patrick Alexy was made salaried partner in October 2016 and DĂŒsseldorf-based Joachim Mandl followed suit in January 2017. In March 2017, Wolfgang Schaller left the Munich office and moved to SGP RechtsanwĂ€lte.

Allen & Overy LLP frequently acts in real estate transactions and financing matters. As highlights for the latter, Olaf Meisen advised the arrangers and lenders on the âŹ1.7bn financing of Blackstoneâs acquisition of OfficeFirst Immobilien, and assisted Landesbank Baden-WĂŒrttemberg with its acquisition financing of the German BGP division for âŹ1.2bn. In different work, Jochen Scheel advised International Campus on real estate law matters pertaining to its Munich project development The Fizz Short Stay. Other clients include Ares Property Partners and Signal Real Estate. In November 2016, Michael Bernhardt moved to Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, while counsel Filip Kurkowski joined Baker McKenzie in June 2016.

Apart from its âdeep international industry knowledgeâ, Roland Fabianâs âwell-connectedâ real estate team at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP stands out for its âhigh committment and customer orientationâ. Frequently recommended key figures include âvery competent and structuredâ tax lawyer Stephan Krampe, whose âadvice always takes specific business needs into accountâ, and the âexperiencedâ Carsten Bremer, who âprovides better legal advice than the counterpartyâ. Together with Hanns-William MĂŒlsch, Krampe assisted an institutional investor with the acquisition of a logistics portfolio from Growth Industrial Asset Net-Income Trusts in the form of a joint venture. Together with Tina Siebenhaar, he also advised Avignon Capital on the acquisition and the financing of two hotel properties in Berlin and Frankfurt. After Fabian Hartwichâs move to Mayer Brown LLP at the end of 2016, Till Buschmann joined the team from Dentons in April 2017. Philippe Kamarowsky was made partner in May 2017.

DLA Piperâs âexcellent service level is based on its strong interdisciplinary co-operation, professional work ethic and high levels of experience and commitmentâ, while clients also praise the teamâs âquick response times, which are maintained even when dealing with high volumes of transactionsâ. In 2017, the team was faced with several significant changes: together with three lawyers, former team head Carsten Loll moved to Linklaters, while new and âvery knowledgable and service-orientedâ practice co-head Lars Reubekeul, who provides Superdry with long-term advice on its European expansion, joined the firm from King & Wood Mallesons along with Florian Biesalski and five other lawyers. The new arrivals boosted the practiceâs Asia capabilities and bring additional experience in dealing with data centre transactions. Other frequently recommended individuals include co-team head Fabian MĂŒhlen, who has âstrong negotiation skills and deep sector-specific knowledgeâ, and counsel Christian Lonquich, who is noted for his âtremendous transactional experience and economic understandingâ. Together, they advised Deutsche Fonds Holding on the sale of all shares in the property 20 Moorgate in London to Asian Growth Properties. Other key members of the team include âassertive, experienced and well-connectedâ financing partner Frank Schwem ), the âcalm, factual and extremely knowledgableâ Torsten Pokropp and the âsolution-orientedâ Martin Haller, whose âwork effort is tirelessâ . The latter two advised Aareal Bank and Allianz Real Estate on the granting of an Europe-wide real estate loan to Invesco Real Estate.

Dentons specialises in the asset classes hotels, nursing homes and speciality properties such as student residences and data centres and has a strong profile for international transactions including the acquisition of corporate chains. Team head Dirk-Reiner VoĂ and Volker Mergener provide regular advice to IREIT Global and Barings on asset management issues, while CR Investment Management and KanAm Grund are also part of the teamâs client roster. In early 2017, Jan Hellner, Sebastian Schmid and Sabine Wieduwilt were elevated to the partnership. Hellner has been advising the hotel group Meininger on various matters, while Schmid has been acting for Commerz Real since 2009, and along with Andreas Ziegenhagen, Wieduwilt assisted AmRest with the acquisition of 15 Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in Germany.

The âbusiness-orientedâ team at GSK Stockmann is noted for its âquick response times and appropriate team sizeâ. Clients frequently single out practice head Dirk BrĂŒckner for his âfast perception of the content matter and strong negotiation skillsâ as well as Michael Eggersberger; they jointly advised the Zech Group, including its subsidiaries Art-Invest, Phoenix Real Estate, Wohnkompanie and Deutsche Fonds-Holding, on asset management and construction law matters. In other work, Eggersberger frequently works alongside the recommended Monique Franke: recently, the pair assisted IVG Immobilien with the due diligence for the site The Squaire in Frankfurt with regards to the sale of OfficeFirst properties to Blackstone. The âpragmaticâ Maximilian Schilling assisted a joint venture consisting of Bayerischen Versorgungskammer, Hammer and GLL with the acquisition of office spaces in Munich. Frankfurt-based investment fund expert Rainer Werum is also recommended.

Gleiss Lutz focuses on the asset classes retail, offices and logistics but the team was also able to increase its workload in the residence and commercial real estate sectors. Tim Weber and Johannes Niewerth advised A.T.U. Auto-Teile-Unger on rental and asset management matters pertaining to the conclusion of new leases as part of a restructuring. As a significant matter in the transactional space, the team acted for Praderas in the acquisition of a pan-European retail portfolio. In 2016, RFR Holding instructed the firm with the acquisition of various properties in Leipzig and with the project development of the East Side Mall in Berlin.

GĂ¶rg Partnerschaft von RechtsanwĂ€lten mbBâs âresponsive, friendly and well-co-ordinatedâ team stands out for its âdeep knowledge and solution and business-oriented approachâ. According to clients, the firmâs âprice-performance ratio compares favourably to the one provided by large law firmsâ. Frequently recommended individuals include Berlin-based practice head Jan Lindner-Figura, who demonstrates âa sovereign and assertive authority without arroganceâ, and âstrong, diligent and dynamic negotiatorâ Georg Christian Reuter, while in Cologne, clients praise the âreliableâ Markus Heider for his âdeep transactional experience and the ability to see the big pictureâ. In Munich, âknowledgable and confident negotiatorâ Frank Stellmann stands out for âhis negotiation skillsâ. Highlights included providing Castlelake with due diligence assistance on a portfolio consisting of 70 retail properties, and advising Deka Immobilien Investment on the acquisition of Highrise One in Munich. New arrival Ingo Winterstein joined the Frankfurt office from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.

Graf von Westphalen focuses on advising institutional clients, family offices and individual investors on real estate acquisitions and sales alongside project development and hotel sector matters. Together with practice head Lorenz Czajka, Ulrich Schroeder has been advising H-Hotels on several sale and leaseback transactions, while also assisting the client with its expansion to Hungary. New client Orion Capital Partners instructed Wolfram MĂŒller to assist with the leasing of the ODIN portfolio. In October 2016, Maximilian Jahn joined the Frankfurt office from Kapellmann und Partner, while Hamburg-based Andreas Wolowski was made partner in early 2017.

Heuking KĂŒhn LĂŒer Wojtekâs âresponsiveâ team provides âhigh-quality advice at reasonable pricesâ. DĂŒsseldorf-based Peter Zimmermann is an âexcellent real estate lawyerâ, who âcreates a positive climate for negotiations and manages to get to the heart of difficult mattersâ. Recently, he assisted Corpus Sireo with the acquisition and partial re-letting of Zurich Insuranceâs company headquarters in Cologne and Bonn. In other significant work, Marc Scheunemann advised Benson Elliots on the sale of Berliner Volksbankâs central office, via a share deal, to Barings Real Estate Advisers, while Peter Vocke acted for Domicil Beteiligungsgesellschaft in the acquisition of two residential property portfolios consisting of a total of 1800 units. Michael DrĂ¶ge and SĂ¶nke GĂ¶rgens assisted the multi-family office Dereco with the acquisition of a project development and an associated joint venture set-up with the project developer S W Invest Finance Trade. At the end of 2016, Volker Holl left the Frankfurt office for an unknown destination, while Steffen Wilberg was made salaried partner in early 2017.

Real estate transactions, most notably in the hotel and retail sectors, constitute a key portion of Jones Dayâs workload along with financing, project development and asset management matters. Recently, Frankfurt-based Nicole Kadel advised Hansteen Holdings on the sale of its German-Dutch real estate portfolio to a joint venture between Blackstone and M7 Real Estate for âŹ1.28bn. In 2016, Christian Trenkel assisted Pandox with the acquisition of a portfolio consisting of seven hotels in various European locations. Frankfurt-based Sandra Kamper heads the team.

Frankfurt-based real estate team at King & Spalding LLP âhandles matters in a timely manner, also those on short noticeâ and is praised for its âbusiness-oriented approach, which takes the clientsâ interests into accountâ. Team head Mario LeiĂner and Axel Schilder demonstrate âtop-drawer industry knowledgeâ and provide âvery good advice on structuring mattersâ, while Andreas BĂ¶hme is praised as âaligning legal contracts with economic aspectsâ. Other recommended individuals include the âdiligent and knowledgeableâ Sven Wortberg and counsel Henning Aufderhaar, who âunderstands the goals and operating procedures of large institutional investors and never loses sight of the strategy behind an investmentâ. Since 2016, the team has been advising Tishman Speyer on various transactions including the acquisition of the Pressehaus in Alexanderplatz in Berlin. New client Barings Real Estate Advisers instructed the practice to assist with the purchase of Berliner Volksbankâs head office.

âProviding services on a highly professional levelâ, Latham & Watkins LLPâs âcompetent, friendly and client-orientedâ real estate team in Hamburg is also praised for its âpragmatic and solution-oriented approachâ and its âextremely fast and timely response timesâ. The âhighly professional and efficientâ Christian Thiele advised HanseMerkur GrundvermĂ¶gen on the acquisition and financing of a portfolio consisting of 34 German and Austrian office and retail properties from Conwert, while âstrong negotiator and capital markets expertâ Torsten Volkholz provides regular real estate financing advice to Institutional Investment Partners. Holger Iversen assisted Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investment with the sale of the retail portfolio Christie. Counsel Stefanie Fuerst, who is considered a âthorough negotiation strategistâ, and counsel Annette Griesbach, who is recommended for commercial tenancy and land purchase contract law, both moved to Eversheds Sutherland at the end of 2017; the former joined the new unit as a partner.

Frequently recommended for real estate transactions and related structuring work, Linklaters âdelivers on time, also when under pressureâ and âmakes communication with the entire team easyâ. Also when âdealing with international clientsâ, the team provides âexcellent adviceâ and âinsightful due diligence reportsâ. Wolfram KrĂŒger stands out for his âvery broad real estate industry knowledgeâ. The team, with highlights such as advising CBRE Global Investors on the acquisition of two logistics properties, increased its bench strength significantly by adding Carsten Loll and five other lawyers from DLA Piper.

McDermott Will & Emery RechtsanwĂ€lte Steuerberater LLPâs âwell-structuredâ real estate team âis able to adapt to clientsâ needs and provides pragmatic solutionsâ and stands out for its âexcellent transaction management skillsâ. Team head Jens Ortmanns is âa real personalityâ and provides âan excellent balance of legal know-how and business risk assessmentâ. Alongside the âsolution-orientedâ Thomas Beisken, he has been advising an international asset manager on the acquisition of various Frankfurt-based retail properties. Other recommended individuals include Ulrich Flege and Frankfurt-based counsel Nina Siewert; both are praised for their âquick response times and extensive knowledgeâ. Together, they assisted Oaktree Capital with the realisation and optimisation of the Adelaide non-performing loan portfolio by selling the properties in several individual and portfolio transactions.

P+P PĂ¶llath + Partners is âable to call on colleagues from various other departments in order to cover all aspects that may become relevant when dealing with real estate transactions, and handle them in a timely mannerâ. Matthias Durst is particularly commended for his âability to evaluate crucial issues and present them to the client with much detail, ensuring that all risks are assessedâ. He advised Quantum Immobilien Kapitalverwaltungsgesellschaft on the acquisition of a residential portfolio in Hamburg and DĂŒsseldorf via a share deal, while practice head Stefan Lebek assisted Deutsche Wohnen with the purchase of a portfolio consisting of 28 nationwide nursing home properties from Berlinovo in a structured bidding process. Raphael SĂ¶hlke was elevated to the partnership in early 2017.

White & Case LLP suffered some significant losses in 2017: at the beginning of the year, Hamburg-based Stefan Feuerriegel and Patrick Narr moved to Norton Rose Fulbright together with five other lawyers, while Sibylle MĂŒnch joined Latham & Watkins LLP and Daniel MĂŒller left for UniCredit in spring of the same year. Frankfurt-based Holger Wolf continues to advise Digital Realty on the acquisition and project development of data centres in Germany and abroad, while Thomas Flatten assisted Tishman Speyer with the acquisition financing of the Taunus Tower in Frankfurt. Practice head Endrik Lettau acted for Deutsche Euroshop in its purchase of a 50% stake in the shopping centre Saarpark-Center in Neunkirchen.

In early 2018, Arnecke Sibeth merged with Dabelstein & Passehl RechtsanwĂ€lte PartGmbB and now operates under the name Arnecke Sibeth. The firm covers financing and transactional work alongside tenancy law and asset management matters including related investment and tax issues. Maximilian Gutsche heads the team from Munich, while Daniel PflĂŒger and Frankfurt-based Angela KlingmĂŒller are also recommended. Clients include large real estate companies, private and institutional investors as well as companies in their role as tenants.

The real estate team at Ashurst LLP includes a number of well-known figures, most notably Hendrik Theismann, Liane Muschter and Sven Nickel. In early 2017, the practice advised Cerberus Capital Management on the sale of a portfolio, consisting of 39 wholesale markets leased to Metro, to Aroundtown Property, which included advice on existing senior and mezzanine financing matters, and assisted R+V Versicherungsgruppe with the acquisition of the shopping centre Weinheim Galerie in Baden-WĂŒrttemberg from DC Developments. Derk Opitz, who frequently handles real estate financing work, and newly promoted partner Nicolas Deuerling jointly acted for a lender consortium in the financing of the acquisition of the retirement and nursing home portfolio Panacea by Primonial Real Estate Investment Management. Credit Suisse and Lloyds are new clients in Germany.

FPS is particularly visible in retail and commercial property transactions and financing. Recently, Frankfurt-based team led by Hendrik Sandmann advised Catalyst Capital on the acquisition and the financing of the nationwide commercial portfolio Project 10 for âŹ200m. In other work, Dietrich Sammer assisted new client Meyer Bergman with the acquisition of the department store Stadtpalais Potsdam. ING Bank is another client.

Goodwin opened its Frankfurt office in 2016 and frequently acts in real estate transactions, including asset, share deal and joint venture contracts, tenancy law, asset management and project development matters. Former Ashurst LLP-partners Peter JunghĂ€nel and Marc Bohne are the key contacts. Recently, Bohne advised the Canadian client Slate Asset Management on the mixed share and asset deal acquisition of more than 70 retail properties, and JunghĂ€nel assisted Gramercy Europe with the sale of its entire property portfolio in five European countries for over âŹ1bn. He also routinely acts for Castlelake, which purchased 68 German properties from Marcol via a share, asset and loan deal.

On the buy-side, Heussen is particularly active for institutional and international investors alongside family offices. By adding Nora Byra from Jebens Mensching LLP in April 2017, the team has also strengthened its real estate regulation capabilities, and she is additionally well versed in handling fund advisory work. Munich-based Christoph Hamm has been advising Real I.S. on several transactions, such as the acquisition of the project development Neue Mitte Karlsfeld, which included construction law and financing advice. Jan Dittmann assisted Pifron with the acquisition of three properties from GEBAG, and handled various project development transactions for Matrix Immobilien.

The âstableâ real estate team at K&L Gates LLP is âfast, business-oriented and competentâ. Its work results are considered to be âof high qualityâ and based on âa good understanding of the clientâs economic requirementsâ. Together with team head Felix Greuner, the frequently recommended Christof Hupe advised an international real estate company on the acquisition and financing of a logistics portfolio for âŹ170m. Clients also recommend Tobias Gries and Anja RĂ¶sch, who acted for Ashtrom Properties in the purchase of seven nursing home properties. In the project development space, Florens Girardet and Kristina Baurschmidt assisted Rockspring with the development of large-scale logistics properties.

With the additions of Fabian Hartwich and counsel Philipp Schaefer from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP in early 2017, Frankfurt-based âbusiness-oriented and knowledgeableâ team at Mayer Brown LLP was able to expand its âstrong international platformâ. Recently, Hartwich, who is praised for his âbroad knowledge of the real estate marketâ and âextensive experience in handling real estate transactionsâ, has been advising on a number of shopping centre sales. Team head Joachim Modlich assisted Universal-Investment with the acquisition of Netto specialist stores and other retail parks from project developers, while JĂ¶rg Michael Lang advised Internos Global Investors on the acquisition of a local supply centre in Dortmund-Brackel. New clients include Asian Growth Properties and Star Capital Partners, among others.

In the first half of 2017, Norton Rose Fulbrightâs Hamburg office increased its bench strength significantly by adding the âdeal and solution-oriented, experienced and easy-to-deal-withâ Stefan Feuerriegel and Patrick Narr alongside three of counsels and two associates from White & Case LLP. The team has been advising Patrizia on the acquisition, which is partly structured as a forward deal, of a retail portfolio from Newport. In other work, the practice assisted ECE and Strabag with matters pertaining to the development of the MesseCity KĂ¶ln including hotel leases and the completion of real estate transactions. Other highlights included Thomas Hopfâs advice to Frasers Centrepoint and its subsidiaries on the acquisition of a majority stake in Geneba Properties from Catalyst RE CoĂ¶peratief, and Maren StĂ¶ltingâs assistance of a Swiss pension fund with the acquisition of a mixed portfolio consisting of office, logistics and retail properties.

Raue LLPâs Cornelia Gorn, who was elevated to the partnership in January 2017, and Valentin Todorow, advised Corpus Sireo International on the acquisition of three senior citizen housing complexes in Berlin, while also frequently acting for BIM Berliner Immobilien Management. He also represents Polis Immobilien in damage claim proceedings against a large consulting firm regarding errors in a real estate transaction-related due diligence. Other highlights included Carl-Stephan Schweerâs and Klaus Goeckeâs assistance to Berliner Volksbank with the acquisition of its new administration building, and Wolfram Hertelâs advice to Bundesvereinigung deutscher ApothekenverbĂ€nde on the sale of the listed Mendelssohn-Palais in Berlin in a structured bidding process.

The âservice-orientedâ and âwell-positionedâ practice at RĂ¶dl & Partner provides âvery good to excellent services and immediate solutions when requiredâ and attracts praise for its âbroad offeringâ. Sebastian SchĂŒĂler and Meike Farhan are both frequently recommended and noted for their âstructured approach and extensive knowledgeâ. Highlights included Harald Reitzeâs advice to Accor on its investment in the 25 hours Holdinggesellschaft and JĂ¶rg Schieleinâs assistance of an international pharmaceutical company with facility management matters. In autumn 2016, JĂŒrgen Siegl moved to Theopark RechtsanwĂ€lte und Steuerberater Partnerschaft mbB and Tanja Nein joined Max BĂ¶gl Bauservice, while Munich-based Thomas FrĂ€bel was made partner a few months earlier.

âFast, result and customer-orientedâ Berlin-based law firm BMH BrĂ€utigam & Partner is âvery good at handling the whole spectrum of real estate transactional workâ. Currently, the team consists of five dedicated real estate lawyers which includes the frequently recommended Boris Reschucha and Alexander Nast, who jointly advised SIGNA Funds KidInvest on the nationwide development of day care centres for children. In other work, the team assisted SIGNA Holdings Medicents with the acquisition of two medical centres via a share deal. UferHallen regularly instructs the practice with contentious and non-contentious commercial lease work.

BRL Boege Rohde Luebbehuesen is particularly active in transactions, project development and commercial tenancy law work and has a specialism for the hotel sector. Ongoing highlights include Michael-Alexander Rojnicâs advice to Unibail-Rodamcos on the acquisition and planning of a construction area in the southern Ăberseequartier in the HafenCity Hamburg, and Marc Biebelheimerâs and Alexander Hartmannâs joint assistance of the Austrian investment company S Immo with the due diligence and purchase agreements for the acquisition of a German property holding company. Soini Immobilienentwicklung instructed the team to assist with the forward-financing sale of the hotel project Star Inn Premium in Heidelberg to Commerz Real.

Baker McKenzie increased its bench strength by adding real estate finance expert Filip Kurkowski from Allen & Overy LLP, who constitutes one of the main contacts for real estate work along with Florian Thamm and Ulrich Hennings. The team advised Maple Knoll Capital and European Commercial Real Estate on the acquisition of four commercial properties in Landshut, and assisted Hochtief Projektentwicklung with the sale of the Mercatura shopping centre in Aalen to TH Real Estate. In other significant work, the practice acted for an international IT provider in the sale of eight data centres in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.

The real estate team at Buse Heberer Fromm consists of 16 partners operating across six German offices and is led by Markus Ruhmann in Hamburg. Regular instructions include real estate transactions, project development, lease-sharing matters, certifications as well as litigation.

Boutique Jebens Mensching LLP lost real estate litigator Hendrik Bott to FPS but is nonetheless recognised for a number of new instructions including advising Quantum and Astria on the sale of the Kaisergalerie in Hamburg to AFIIA, and for assisting BMO Real Estate Partners with the sale of its sidewalk portfolio to AEW Europe. Philipp Jebens is recommended.

Kapellmann und Partner focuses on real estate transactions, project development, commercial tenancy law and asset management work. Frankfurt-based Michael Schlemmer, who was made associate parter in early 2017, and Stefan PĂŒtzenbacher have jointly been advising a technology company on a property purchase. Christian BĂ¶nker advises FREO on lease agreements for East Side Mall, while Florian Kirchhof assists HSBC Trinkaus and Burkhardt with matters pertaining to the construction and lease of a new office complex.

Anne SchĂ¶ning and Oliver Reimann are MĂ¶hrle Happ Lutherâs main contacts for real estate law. Up until the end of 2016, they jointly acted for JPMorgan Asset Management in the acquisition and financing of two office properties in Stuttgart from Wohninvest. Other highlights included assisting Habacker Holding with the acquisition of land for the development of a logistics facility, and advising Quantum Immobilienkapitalverwaltungsgesellschaft on the sale of two hotels in Berlin and Cologne to their operators.

Simmons & Simmons LLP has transactional and financing work at its core, most notably with respect to logistics, commercial and residential properties. Frankfurt-based Matthias Wagner was made partner in May 2017 and advised new client FREO on the sale of the Adina Apartment Hotel in NĂŒrnberg to Inveso Real Estate. Other clients include Hatfield Philips International and Haus Cramer, which belongs to Warsteiner; both clients receive regular advice from counsel Barbara Heinrich. Munich-based Oliver Beyer acted for Immofinanz in the sale of the historic Gerlingquartier in Cologne for âŹ235m.

Real estate transactions and fund structuring work is a primary focus for Squire Patton Boggs. Recently, managing partner Kai Mertens advised Deutsche Wohnen on the acquisition of a residential property portfolio consisting of 4,200 units, while PPHE Hotel receives regular advice from Axel Kunze; he also acts for the Success Hotel Group in various project development matters.

Andreas Helm and Gero Martin are the key contacts at Wagensonner. Recent highlights include advising a chemical company on the sale of a former production property, and assisting a project developer with the acquisition of a property for a real estate development for hundreds of millions of euros. The team also provided transactional and project development advice to GBW with regards to a residential development in Hessen, and assisted the Danish investor German High Street Properties with the sale of a mixed-use property for around âŹ10m.

Interview with...

Law firm partners and practice heads explain how their firms are adapting to clients' changing needs

Under certain circumstances, an authorized dealer may be entitled to claim compensation after termination of the contract with the company if the latter continues to be able to use its business contacts.

According to a decision of the Bundessozialgericht, Germanyâs federal court of appeals for social security matters, GmbH managing directors are ordinarily deemed to be employees of the company and hence subject to mandatory social security contributions.

Plagiarism and counterfeit products cause immense economic damage within the European Union. This makes it all the more important for businesses to take consistent measures to protect their trade marks.

The costs associated with transitioning from an Unternehmergesellschaft (UG), a form of German private limited liability company also referred to colloquially as a âMini-GmbHâ, to a full GmbH cannot be passed on to the GmbH. The Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Celle, Celleâs Higher Regional Court, ruled that the transition in no way represents the establishment of a new company.

It is not necessary for a D&O insurance policy to cover payments made by the insured managing director after the onset of insolvency. That was the verdict of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) DĂŒsseldorf, the Higher Regional Court of DĂŒsseldorf.

A managing director may be liable towards the company despite a settlement clause in the termination agreement. That was the verdict of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) MĂŒnchen, the Higher Regional Court of Munich.

Caution is in order if someone is offering discounts on âfast allesâ, i.e. âalmost everythingâ. Advertising featuring a discount promotion that excludes large sections of the product range from the discount is misleading and unfair. That was the verdict of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) KĂ¶ln, the Higher Regional Court of Cologne.

Beer cannot be promoted as âbekĂ¶mmlichâ, i.e.Â âwholesomeâ or âagreeableâ (in terms of its digestibility). That was the verdict of the Bundesgerichtshof (BGH), Germanyâs Federal Supreme Court, in a ruling from 17 May 2018 (Az.: I ZR 252/16). This description was said to be in violation of the Health Claims Regulation.

A company demanding that advances on commission payments be repaid by the commercial agent needs to be able to provide detailed reasoning in support of this action as well as present a complete calculation for the recovery of the sums in question.

Following completion of the business combination between Linde and Praxair under the holding Linde plc, the companies have announced the implementation of a merger-related squeeze-out. Linde AG shall be merged into Linde Intermediate Holding AG, an indirect 100% subsidiary of Linde plc. The merger agreement entered into in that respect provides that a squeeze-out of the minority shareholders of Linde AG against adequate cash compensation shall occur in the context of the merger. The required squeeze-out resolution shall be passed at an extraordinary general meeting of Linde AG on 12 December 2018.

A dentist is allowed to promote his or her homepage with the term âPraxisklinikâ, i.e. â(practice) clinicâ, even if they do not admit patients for extended periods of time as inpatients. That was the verdict of the Landgericht (LG) Essen, the Regional Court of Essen.

It is possible for a power of attorney to constitute a valid will. That was the verdict of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Hamm, the Higher Regional Court of Hamm, in a ruling from May 11, 2017 (Az.: 10 U 64/16).

In cases where damage or injury has occurred, it is increasingly common for the issue of D&O liability to take centre stage. For this reason, many companies have taken out a D&O insurance policy for their managers.

The commercial agentâs right to claim compensation in the event of turnover increases with past clients comes up time and time again as a contentious issue. A ruling of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Celle, the Higher Regional Court of Celle, has now bolstered the position of commercial agents (Az.: 11 U 88/16).

If a company abuses its market power, this constitutes a violation of antitrust law. In a ruling from January 23, 2018, the Bundesgerichtshof (BGH), Germanyâs Federal Supreme Court, has bolstered the Bundeskartellamt, Germanyâs Federal Cartel Office (Az.: KVR 3/17).